Influence of the processing on composition, protein structure and techno-functional properties of mealworm protein concentrates produced by isoelectric precipitation and ultrafiltration/diafiltration.

Edible insects represent a great alternative protein source but food neophobia remains the main barrier to consumption. However, the incorporation of insects as protein-rich ingredients, such as protein concentrates, could increase acceptance. In this study, two methods, isoelectric precipitation and ultrafiltration-diafiltration, were applied to produce mealworm protein concentrates, which were compared in terms of composition, protein structure and techno-functional properties. The results showed that the protein content of the isoelectric precipitation concentrate was higher than ultrafiltration-diafiltration (80 versus 72%) but ash (1.91 versus 3.82%) and soluble sugar (1.43 versus 8.22%) contents were lower. Moreover, the protein structure was affected by the processing method, where the ultrafiltration-diafiltration concentrate exhibited a higher surface hydrophobicity (493.5 versus 106.78 a.u) and a lower denaturation temperature (161.32 versus 181.44 °C). Finally, the ultrafiltration-diafiltration concentrate exhibited higher solubility (87 versus 41%) and emulsifying properties at pH 7 compared to the concentrate obtained by isoelectric precipitation.

Effects of calcium chloride substitution on the physicochemical properties of Minas Frescal cheese.

The aim in this research paper was to investigate the effect of using calcium monophosphate (MCP) and MCP mixed with commercial phosphates salts, in total or partial replacement of calcium chloride (CaCl2) in the manufacture of Minas Frescal cheese. Initially, model cheeses were made to perform the rheological analysis during the coagulation process. Of these, the five best treatments were chosen to carry out the production of Minas Frescal cheese, used only CaCl2 and MCP, and partial replacements of MCP + polyphosphate, MCP + potassium monophosphate (MKP) and MCP. The cheeses showed no significant difference in physicochemical composition, yield and syneresis, however, the cheese with partial replacement of CaCl2 by MCP + polyphosphate and MCP + MKP showed the highest hardness values, like the control. This demonstrates that it is possible to replace calcium chloride without significant changes in the physicochemical characteristics and yield of Minas Frescal cheese, and it is still possible to modulate the hardness of the cheese produced according to the type of calcium/phosphate source used. This allows the industry to replace the source of calcium in the manufacture of Minas Frescal cheese according to the desired hardness.

High-intensity ultrasound treatment on casein: Pea mixed systems: Effect on gelling properties.

This study aimed to investigate the suitability of the application of high-intensity ultrasounds (HIUS) to improve the acid induced gelation of mixed protein systems formed by casein micelles (CMs) and pea. The protein suspensions were prepared in different protein ratios CMs: pea (100:0, 80:20, 50:50, 20:80, 0:100) at 8% (w/w) total protein concentration. In the suspensions, the ultrasound treatment produced an increase in solubility, surface hydrophobicity, and a decrease in the samples' viscosity, with more remarkable differences in protein blends in which pea protein was the major component. However, the replacement of 20% of CMs for pea proteins highly affected the gel elasticity. Hence, the creation of smaller and more hydrophobic building blocks before acidification due to the HIUS treatment increased the elasticity of the gels up to 10 times. Therefore, high-intensity ultrasounds are a suitable green technique to increase the gelling properties of CMs: pea systems.

Casein-based hydrogels: A mini-review.

Casein-based hydrogels are biocompatible, biodegradable, renewable, easy to obtain, inexpensive, and non-toxic. They exist in different physicochemical states, e.g. particle hydrogels, which can be dived in suspensions or emulsions and macro hydrogels that are gel colloid type. These biomaterials have drawn increasing attention in recent years due to their abilities to form networks of different tensile strengths and to encapsulate, protect and release biomolecules. This mini-review outlines the recent advances in casein-based hydrogel research and the uses of casein-based hydrogels as drug delivery system for both hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules. The food and biomedical potential along with possible future uses of the casein-based hydrogels are discussed throughout the document.